MANILA – Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Saturday guaranteed that his office is following strict health protocols to protect his subordinates against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
This came after Andanar confirmed that a total of 10 PCOO personnel have already tested positive for Covid-19, as of Saturday morning.
In a press statement, he said his office would conduct intensified contact tracing and testing to avoid further transmission of Covid-19 among PCOO employees.
“The PCOO is doing all the health and medical protocols prescribed by the government, especially the intensified contact tracing and testing, as part of our due diligence to prevent further transmissions among those who have been in contact with them,” he said.
“The PCOO is doing all the health and medical protocols prescribed by the government, especially the intensified contact tracing and testing, as part of our due diligence to prevent further transmissions among those who have been in contact with them,” he said.
Andanar, who tested negative for Covid-19 despite exposure to a PCOO employee who has contracted the disease, extended his hope and prayers for the speedy recovery of his staff who had tested positive for the disease.
He also assured that they would receive assistance from the government.
“We are also fulfilling any assistance and support we can provide to our personnel and their families on the matter,” Andanar said.
Following the latest development, he said the disinfection of the PCOO office at Malacañang Palace’s New Executive Building (NEB) would continue.
Andanar said physical work suspension is extended “until further notice” to ensure his personnel’s safety against Covid-19 and that all programs and briefings done at NEB would be undertaken either remotely or virtually.
“Rest assured that the delivery of essential and timely information to the Filipino public will remain unhampered and unchanged as we have adopted a work-from-home arrangement,” he said. (PNA)